Let’s face it, dealing with people and life situations can be stressful. We know about eating, drinking, or trying to sex it away like Solange tried to do. We can only pacify ourselves for so long, the results only lead to more distress and disease, but how can we release stress in a healthy, progressive way? A few of these tips should help:
Breathe Intentionally
Take focused intentional deep breaths in and out, do this repeatedly. There is no cap on how many times it can be done. Do it enough times for it to be effective. Do it until your thoughts are completely focused on your breathing and not on the situation. Inhale good vibes, exhale bad ones.
Practice gratitude
In the heat of a situation when the stress of the moment is heavily searing your mind, make a focused effort to redirect your thoughts on what is going right, whatever is working and going good for you right now. There are plenty of things to be grateful for even if they are simple. Those are the best ones. There’s a Scripture reads “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Doing this helps you preocupy your mind on good and increase your good vibes.
Talk to a Mentor or Therapist
Problematic thoughts and emotions left unchecked, eventually turn into problematic actions which only causes more stress down the road. By all means make sure those thoughts are expressed audibly. Vent to someone who actually has wisdom. If you’re fortunate enough to have a mentor link up with them and talk about the situation. A therapist or coach are other good alternatives. Don’t hold it in, if you’re stressed, sad, frustrated etc. Have a little talk with somebody other than Jesus about your troubles.
Freestyle Dance It Out
Dance it out. Sometimes bussing a move, over a bomb groove is all you need to release negative energy and create positive vibes. The combination of breath, gratitude, and expression it takes to move is a perfect relief, even if for a moment. Exercising is said to release stress, but if exercise isn’t your thing, just straight up dance. Go for it! Dance freely and whenever you can.
April D. Byrd
is a Writer, Journalist, Founder and Publisher of BOLDJournal – BreathOfLifeDaily.com and Breath Of Life Daily Podcast She is a regular Contributor and Correspondant for I Hear That Girl!
